RIO DE JANEIRO, March 11 (Reuters) - Brazil's office of the
comptroller general said on Wednesday it had opened a case
against 10 additional firms that may be involved in a massive
corruption scheme at state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA
.

The process may prevent the companies, which include some of
Brazil's biggest builders, from signing new contracts and lead
to fines and other penalties, the comptroller said.

In December, the CGU opened a case against eight
construction companies that had ties with Petrobras, leaving
many of them in financial trouble as they lost revenue and
access to capital markets.

Brazil's biggest-ever corruption scandal is rippling through
various sectors of Brazil's economy. Large infrastructure
projects will likely be stalled with so many engineering firms
under investigation.

Contacted by Reuters, Andrade Gutierrez said "it has never
been involved in any of the facts currently being investigated."

Builder Odebrecht said it has never taken part in any cartel
and that it won all its contracts with Petrobras in accordance
to the legislation.

Odebrecht Ambiental, which specializes in water and sewage
services, said it sees no reason to be on the CGU's list as its
work is not related to the activities currently being
investigated.
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